Lance Guidry talks about his closer role and topping last pregame speech

Posted by: Josh Kendall on Friday December 14, 2012

If Lance Guidry isn't retained by Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky and can't find another coaching job before next season, at least he has a plan.

"I feel like a closer, a mercenary guy, just coming in there at the end," Guidry said. "I might start my own business, just being an interim head coach. Wait till coaches leave and just come in and close the deal. I'm a closer right now."

Guidry made a name for himself, and got his current job, thanks to his last interim job, which came just years ago in the GoDaddy.com Bowl when he was the interim coach at Miami-Ohio.

"I don't think there has ever been an interim head coach win two bowl games in three years," Guidry said. "I have to make history somehow."

Guidry's pregame speech before that game has become a YouTube legend, and it's part of the reason Willie Taggart hired Guidry at Western Kentucky, Guidry said.

"That's not why I take the jobs, of course," Guidry said. "I do it because of the kids, but it's an opportunity to lead your own team just for a while. It did get me this job. Coach Taggart saw the bowl game, he saw the pre-game speech and he said, 'I want that guy. He's got a lot of juice.' Hopefully, it keeps me here or gets me my next job."

Guidry got his most recent title when Taggart left to take the South Florida job. Petrino already has been hired as the full-time coach but for two more weeks, it's Guidry's team. Western Kentucky plays Central Michigan in the Little Caesars Bowl on Dec. 26.

"It's really important (to finish strong)." Guidry said. "It's still this year's team. Coach Petrino is the head coach next year. It's important that we finish this thing off that Coach Taggart started."

And, in case you're wondering, Guidry already has given some thought to his pregame speech.

"I don't know if I can top the last one, but I think I've got something up my sleeve," he said. "It could top it, I don't know. It's going to be a challenge, but I might have one."

Just to refresh your memory, here's the last speech:

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com

Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com